Travelle Wharton | Guard | #70

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The Panthers are nearing a deal to make Travelle Wharton their offensive line coach.

It sounds like Wharton will share O-Line duties with John Matsko, replacing Ray Brown. Wharton, 36, most recently coached the South Carolina' Gamecocks' offensive line after retiring in July of 2014. He made 111 starts in ten NFL seasons. Jan 29 - 5:05 PM

Wharton was quietly one of the best guards in the entire league last season, but the 33-year-old is hanging 'em up in hopes of enjoying a normal post-football life. "It's time," said Wharton. "I just had to admit it." Four members of the Panthers' 2013 offensive line group have now retired this offseason, with Wharton joining LT Jordan Gross, C/G Jeff Byers, and C/G Geoff Hangartner. Sun, Jul 27, 2014 02:34:00 PM

Free agent OG Travelle Wharton plans to announce his plans for the 2014 season "soon."

It sounds like the 33-year-old is leaning toward retirement. "I'm enjoying my family time right now," Wharton told the Panthers' website. "I'm in a routine I've never been a part of before, picking up kids, dropping them off. This has been a great run. Ten years in the NFL for a guy from Fountain Inn, South Carolina." Tue, May 27, 2014 01:00:00 PM

Wharton, 33 in May, has missed out on the big money in free agency. The only deals being handed out now (if your name isn't DeSean Jackson) are one-year pacts at or near the veteran minimum. Coming off a spectacular season, Wharton probably isn't interested in that. He could wait for a summer or in-season injury. Wed, Apr 2, 2014 01:57:00 PM

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Wharton was quietly one of the best guards in the entire league last season, but the 33-year-old is hanging 'em up in hopes of enjoying a normal post-football life. "It's time," said Wharton. "I just had to admit it." Four members of the Panthers' 2013 offensive line group have now retired this offseason, with Wharton joining LT Jordan Gross, C/G Jeff Byers, and C/G Geoff Hangartner.

Free agent OG Travelle Wharton plans to announce his plans for the 2014 season "soon."

It sounds like the 33-year-old is leaning toward retirement. "I'm enjoying my family time right now," Wharton told the Panthers' website. "I'm in a routine I've never been a part of before, picking up kids, dropping them off. This has been a great run. Ten years in the NFL for a guy from Fountain Inn, South Carolina."

Wharton, 33 in May, has missed out on the big money in free agency. The only deals being handed out now (if your name isn't DeSean Jackson) are one-year pacts at or near the veteran minimum. Coming off a spectacular season, Wharton probably isn't interested in that. He could wait for a summer or in-season injury.

Free agent OG Travelle Wharton is interested in playing for the Dolphins.

The Dolphins want to look at younger options first. Wharton, 33 in May, is our No. 1 free-agent guard available. Miami signed Shelley Smith to man one of the guard spots, and second-year G/T Dallas Thomas is currently penciled in opposite him. Wharton proved in 2013 that he still has gas in the tank.

Like just about every other Panthers offensive lineman, the 32-year-old Wharton flirted with the idea of retirement following the season. His camp has probably informed him that his market is too warm to go down that path. Wharton was our No. 2 guard available when free agency started and he's been linked to the Vikings.

The Vikings will consider free agent OG Travelle Wharton if they are unable to re-sign free agent OG Charlie Johnson.

At only 33, Wharton hinted at retirement earlier in the month. This could be an indication he has changed his mind. Wharton is a superior talent to Johnson despite being three years older and would provide a needed upgrade at left guard.

Wharton has a lot of juice left in the tank and will only be turning 33 in May. "I’m really just enjoying my family time right now," he said. "I don’t want to say I’m done and I don’t want to say I’m going to keep playing for another five or six years. I don’t know." Wharton has reportedly received calls from teams, "but hasn't heard much from the Panthers" in recent weeks.

Wharton, 33 in May, is coming off an outstanding season that saw him start 12 games at left guard and be an asset as both a pass protector and run blocker. He's currently our No. 2 available free-agent guard, behind Geoff Schwartz and ahead of Willie Colon and Jon Asamoah. The Panthers would like Wharton back.

It's hard to see Wharton hanging it up even though he'll turn 33 in May. He appeared in all 16 games last season (12 starts at left guard), grading out fifth among 81 qualifiers in PFF's grades. Wharton will fetch short-term deals in free agency, but they'll likely be too lucrative to pass on. The Panthers would do well to retain him to give their disintegrating offensive line a piece of continuity.

It's a solid pickup for Carolina. Wharton is 32 years old and doesn't have much left in the tank, but he'll immediately be a candidate to start at guard with the Panthers. Wharton spent the first eight years of his career in Carolina, before missing all of 2012 with a torn ACL. He can also play tackle in a pinch.

According to the National Football Post, the Falcons have "explored" free agent G/T Travelle Wharton as a possible solution at right tackle.

Wharton missed all of 2012 with a torn ACL. A nine-year veteran, Wharton has played primarily guard in recent years, but might still be a better bet at right tackle than 2012 third-rounder Lamar Holmes, who's made just one career appearance. Wharton has visited the Panthers and Broncos since being released by Cincinnati.

Coach Ron Rivera said the Panthers have no plans to sign an offensive lineman after the release of Geoff Hangartner.

Many assumed the Panthers' release of Hangartner was a way to clear room for ex-Panther Travelle Wharton, but that doesn't appear to be the case -- for now. Rivera plans to give the majority of the right guard snaps to Garry Williams, followed by youngsters Edmund Kugbila and Hayworth Hicks.

Sources tell the Charlotte Observer that free agent Travelle Wharton signing with the Panthers is not imminent.

The surprise release of Geoff Hangartner on Thursday morning led to immediate speculation that the Panthers would step in and bring back Wharton to fill their right guard hole. It appears Wharton is holding out for more money, meaning a signing could come if/when the Panthers get really desperate.

Wharton, who was released by the Bengals on Monday, has met with the Panthers and was scheduled to visit the Broncos. It's unlikely the Raiders will be able to offer competitive money despite their need for offensive line depth. Unless that changes, Wharton is not expected to work out in Oakland.

C Tyler Larsen and P Michael Palardy also signed one-year deals. All three were exclusive rights free agents. Byrd caught 10 passes for 105 yards including two Week 15 touchdowns last season, but he ended the year on injured reserve with a knee issue. With Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright now in the fold, Byrd is likely looking at a backup role.

It is something of a surprise after coach Ron Rivera sounded pessimistic about Samuel's health at the end of March. While it is not clear if he will participate in team drills, he appeared to be moving well as he ran routes in individual work. Coming off essentially a lost rookie season, a full offseason would be huge for Samuel.